SHILLONG, AUG 7: NPP Shillong Lok Sabha bypoll candidate Dr DRL Nonglait on Thursday said he will introduce a Bill in Parliament for inclusion of the Khasi language in the Eighth Schedule, instead of just submitting memorandums.

Addressing a huge crowd during an election campaign in Rymbai, East Jaintia Hills, Dr Nonglait said he has previously met Union Ministers Amit Shah, Kiren Rijiju and Rajnath Singh with memorandums on people’s demands.

“But this time, if you elect me as MP, I will not go just to submit memorandums but to introduce a Bill in Parliament to enact it into law,” he said.

Urging voters to set aside party differences, he said both the Khasi language and ILP issues were passed by the Meghalaya Assembly with support across parties.

“When I go to Delhi I will not go only as an NPP MP, but I will take up the issues demanded by all political parties in Meghalaya,” he added.

Highlighting the achievements of the MDA government, Dr Nonglait cited the establishment of Shillong Medical College and Shillong Engineering College, and recognition of the Khasi Language as an Official Language of Meghalaya.

“This is a working government. There has never been a medical college run by the state government before, but it is this government. Shillong Engineering too is by this government,” he said.  

“After we explained to the people, on April 27 a notification was issued by the Governor of the State that the Khasi language has become the Official Language of Meghalaya,” he added.

He also said if elected, he would push for campuses of the State University in other districts, including Jaintia Hills.